Mariah Carey stuns with 'Type Dangerous' live debut at 2025 BET Awards, joined by Anderson .Paak and Rakim
Mariah Carey made a triumphant return to the live stage at the 2025 BET Awards with a breathtaking television debut of her new single, “Type Dangerous.” Held at the Peacock Theater at L.A. Live and hosted by Kevin Hart, the star-studded event featured an unforgettable Club Mariah segment, curated by D-Nice and headlined by the pop icon herself.
Mariah Carey performs onstage at the BET Awards 2025 held at the Peacock Theater on June 09, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
Christopher Polk
D-Nice opened the set with a nostalgic medley of Carey’s timeless hits, including “Fantasy,” “Obsessed,” and “Heartbreaker.” Then, in true diva fashion, the Songbird Supreme appeared with her signature whistle tone, igniting thunderous applause as a troupe of male dancers in white suits surrounded her.
With theatrical flair, Carey sang the opening lines of “Type Dangerous,” removing her white trench coat to reveal a shimmering gold dress that sparkled under the stage lights. The performance was accentuated by the presence of Anderson .Paak, who played live drums for the track he produced, and a surprise appearance by hip-hop legend Rakim. Rakim delivered a powerful rendition of his verse from Eric B. & Rakim’s 1986 classic “Eric B. Is President,” a song cleverly sampled in Carey’s new single.
The set culminated with Carey belting a snippet of her 2005 banger “It’s Like That,” as golden confetti showered the stage, closing out one of the night’s most talked-about performances.
Released just last Friday via gamma., “Type Dangerous” is the lead single from Carey’s forthcoming 16th studio album. The performance not only marked her musical resurgence but also set the stage for her receiving the coveted Ultimate Icon Award later in the evening. As statistics displaying her storied career—including five Grammy Awards, 19 Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hits, and over 200 million albums sold—flashed behind her, Carey once again reminded the world why she remains an unmatched force in music.